mtl008 Chapter 351 The Appearance of Imperial Troops
Chapter 351 The Appearance of Imperial Troops
The morning sun shone through the mist, illuminating the earth. A hint of freshness lingered in the air. Ye Wan stood on a raised platform in the camp, gazing into the distance. Her gaze swept across the tranquil grassland, and suddenly, her brow furrowed slightly. In the distance, dust billowed, and the silhouettes of several horses gradually emerged, like a black line stretching across the horizon.
"Report!" Suddenly, a scout ran into the camp, panting and shouting, "Master Ye Wan, a large group of people is coming towards us, and they look quite powerful!"
Ye Wan frowned slightly. The grassland in front of her had always been peaceful, with few people appearing here. However, at this moment, in the dust in the distance, a cavalry team was quietly approaching.
She gazed into the distance, a sense of alarm building within her. Why was a large army approaching them at this moment? Was it an enemy, or perhaps... someone trying to provoke them?
"Get ready, everyone stay alert." Ye Wan gave the order quickly.
Before long, the cavalry was close at hand. The mounted commanders, clad in armor, held themselves imposingly tall and solemn. Their banners fluttered in the breeze, and their dusty bodies showed they had been marching for a long time.
Ye Wan walked slowly to the front, her eyes expressionless, but she had already made a judgment in her heart: these people were definitely not an ordinary patrol team.
"Stop in front!" she shouted decisively, and the team members behind her immediately stopped what they were doing, quickly took their positions, and remained alert.
The cavalry halted, and the leading officer dismounted. He walked upright before Ye Wan, his gaze piercing the surroundings, as if sizing up this small group, once overlooked by the outside world. Then, he bowed and spoke in a deep voice, "Lord Ye Wan, we come here on orders from the imperial court. We have heard that your troops are well-trained and disciplined, and we invite you to join our army and serve our country."
Ye Wan didn't respond immediately, but instead slowly studied the general's face. Although he looked ordinary, his eyes were exceptionally sharp, like a sword, its edge exposed.
"Oh?" Ye Wan narrowed her eyes and said indifferently, "Did your court send troops here to 'serve' you, or do you have other motives?"
The general's face froze for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and bowed, "Lord Ye Wan, you are too kind. We are here simply on orders. The court has learned of your fame and strength, and has sent us here in the hope that you will join the court, pledge your loyalty to the Ming Dynasty, and strengthen its power."
Ye Wan suddenly felt suspicious. She was a clever woman, and this "invitation" seemed to harbor some complex agenda. Since the imperial court had already sent troops to contact them, it was clearly more than just a simple partnership; there might be a deeper conspiracy behind it.
"I heard your team has a unique training method, right?" The general's tone became more casual, as if trying to lighten the atmosphere in some way. "The court is always looking for excellent troops. Your team, both in terms of manpower and tactical application, is worthy of our court's great attention."
Ye Wan chuckled inwardly, a deep glint gleaming in her eyes as she smiled softly, "I admit, our team does have some strength. But I'm not in a rush to make a decision about joining the court." She paused, her tone rising slightly, "After all, the court's invitation seems more complicated than I imagined."
The general's expression tensed slightly. Clearly, Ye Wan's intelligence had made him realize she wasn't someone easily persuaded. However, he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile, "Lord Ye Wan, your caution is admirable. I understand your concerns, but please believe that we have no ulterior motives in coming here."
Ye Wan didn't say anything else, but nodded gently. She looked away from the general and towards the distant grassland, as if she was thinking about something.
During the brief silence, the atmosphere became increasingly solemn.
Suddenly, Ye Wan spoke up, "I heard that your court has been facing some troubles recently, with constant pressure from foreign enemies and domestic political turmoil. The court sent troops here not only to seek assistance, but also to integrate the forces of all parties to deal with the current situation, right?"
The general's expression changed instantly. Although he quickly regained his composure, Ye Wan saw the subtle change clearly. Clearly, what she said had touched their core.
"Lord Ye Wan is truly exceptionally wise. Since you've already seen this, I won't hide it any further." The general took a deep breath, his tone becoming more serious. "The imperial court has indeed been facing unprecedented pressure lately, with power struggles within and powerful enemies surrounding us. If we can't quickly integrate the forces of various regions, the situation will likely be difficult to control."
"So, you came to me and my team?" Ye Wan smiled slightly, but there was a coldness hidden in her smile.
The general nodded, his eyes revealing nothing. "Yes, Lord Ye Wan. We know that your team is already too powerful to ignore. If you can unite with the imperial court, it will undoubtedly be the most powerful support."
"I understand." Ye Wan's tone became calmer. "However, I must say that the court's sincerity seems insufficient, and the manner of the invitation seems a bit hasty."
"Lord Ye Wan, if you agree to join, our dynasty will definitely give you the treatment you deserve." The general quickly added.
Ye Wan shook her head slightly. "I'm afraid the 'treatment' you speak of is just a consolation." A cold glint flashed in her eyes. "I don't deny that your proposal seems reasonable on the surface, but I also understand that once under the control of the imperial court, the team's autonomy will be severely affected. And you are clearly not driven by simple 'sincerity'."
The general's expression changed. He had obviously not expected Ye Wan to see through the mystery so directly. The atmosphere became a little awkward for a moment.
Ye Wan spoke slowly, "I'm afraid your goal isn't simply to cooperate with my team. You want complete control, not just assistance. I'm not in a hurry to make a decision, because this isn't just about me personally, it's about the future of every member of my team."
After she finished speaking, she turned and walked towards her team, each step appearing calm and determined.
The general stood there, his expression shifting unpredictably, as if he were pondering Ye Wan's words. In reality, he knew that Ye Wan was not a woman who could be easily bribed. She was intelligent, decisive, and, more importantly, the loyalty and trust between her team members was deeply ingrained, making it difficult for the court to shake this.
However, Ye Wan's determination did not make him give up. He knew that this game had just begun and the next challenges would be even more severe.
"General, Ye Wan doesn't seem to be in a hurry to accept it." A deputy general said in a low voice.
The general took a deep breath and said slowly, "She is smart and knows our situation well. This negotiation will not be easy."
He looked at Ye Wan's departing back and secretly swore in his heart - no matter what, he would not easily give up this powerful woman and her team.